THE Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival will go ahead next year - albeit in a scaled-down version, according to organisers.

Losses of &#xA3;10,000 from this year's event left questions as to whether the show could go on, but chairman Stephen Dent insists it will be business as usual - almost.

He said: 'It will go ahead. We are going to decide the exact size of it when we know more about the money that is available to us through grants.

'In my view, last year we had a &#xA3;7,000 surplus and this year a &#xA3;10,000 deficit, so even if we go back to how it was we should be okay - I think it will be all right.'

This year's loss was caused by the increased costs of hiring big-name stars such as Bob Geldof.

'It wasn't just the artists but also the associated costs. We had the biggest ticket sales but a bigger marquee and a smaller number of boats, which affected our income.'

A final decision on the size and nature of the festival will be taken in September, but already organisers are planning fundraising for the event.

A Winter Warmer Weekend, dubbed the 'mini-Festival', will be taking place from Friday, November 21, to Sunday, November 23, to raise money for the 2004 show.

Stephen added: 'Artists will volunteer their services for free so we will raise money.'

The reputation of Middlewich on the folk scene means that up-andcoming folk bands are likely to take the opportunity to perform for free, in the hope they get booked for the June festival and the major exposure to music lovers that would bring.

'Because we are so well-known in the folk world we have hundreds of up-and-coming artists approaching us. I get daily e-mails from those who want to play at Middlewich from all four corners of the world, asking us to book them for the Folk and Boat Festival.'

Already lined up at the Winter Warmer are folk favourites Calico Jack and Jug o' Punch.

Festival spokesman Mhari Oakes said: 'They are strong and popular folk bands and it's a real coup they have agreed to play for free.

'The festival is a major event in the town each year and we want as many people as possible to put their hands in their pockets and show some support.'

For more information on the festival visit www.middlewichfolkandboatfestival.com

A KEY organiser of the Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival has decided to call it a day, but says it has nothing to do with the losses the show made this year.

Marketing director Mike Parsons has decided to take a back seat and concentrate on other issues in the town.

He said: 'It was a coming together of things, not because of the loss of money.

'I had made the decision before the financial results were in. It's a business decision but I am going to miss it.' Mike, a borough and town councillor, says he will still help the festival develop from the side lines.

'There are ways I can help as a councillor if I'm not directly involved,' he said.

Mike's departure also raises the question about having a full-time festival manager for the event instead of volunteers as at present.

He said: 'The experience has become very time consuming, and over the last couple of years it has become a full-time job.'